Ambling to Ancient Stones – Castlerigg – Lake District

A “photo essay” of a leisurely and relaxing amble to an ancient stone circle – Castlerigg in the Lake District.

I am not a good liar. It wasn’t leisurely at all initially, and it wasn’t that relaxing at first either as we had taken the narrowest road ever and then had to undertake a precarious 150 point turn on what can only be described as a ledge above a stream (watched with much amusement by a farmer!). I think I might have uttered the words “I just need a spa break” at that point, to which the Small Boy retorted, we past one in the town. He meant the shop. At that exact point I might have actually chosen the shop over the car.

Car finally parked safely without any river incidents or obstructing any road/farm/persons living nearby, we ventured out to follow the signs pointing to Castlerigg. It was at that point I noticed I had lost my bank card which set us back another 10 minutes, but as I am technically sporting an injury (what seems to be a bursitis of my Achilles tendon) Mr R kindly volunteered to go back and look for it whilst I hobbled on.

By the time he caught us up again, the Toddler had fallen in sheep poop more than once (thank goodness for Scandinavian issue weatherproof/poop proof trousers) and was busy wielding a stick above his head – dangerously close to his older sister who was not at all impressed with anything really given the fact that she’s not really a morning person (it was 11.30 so she was slowly waking up!)…

Thankfully our grumpy little poop covered group didn’t encounter many people on this particular path – probably because we weren’t yet on the right one – but we had time for a spot of not entirely successful kite flying whilst the Toddler had a long conversation with a sheep. Both activities seem to buoy everyone up before we finally got on the right track.

You might ask why we put ourselves through what might seem like a horrendously stressful time on occasion, opting for lengthy hikes rather than a day spent bowling or at the cinema during half term like a normal family? Well we don’t make it to the Lake District very often (in fact it’s a first visit for the kids!) and you know how partial we are to the odd hike anda stone circle!

I imagine the toddler on his dad’s shoulders looks like quite an odd sight from the other side of the wall!

Luckily, the road quickly flattened out, and our fortunes seemed to change, as the sun came out and I spotted an ice cream truck in the distance so we could placate the toddler and his siblings with a bit of chocolate as they were all incredibly hangry by now after a lengthier walk than expected…

But as we climbed an elderly stile over a stone wall, we were met by this sight, and everything we had encountered along the way was suddenly worth it (even the kids thought so, helped further by the promise of fish and chips for lunch followed to a visit to Casa Bella Gelateria in Keswick afterwards (try the peanut butter and jelly flavour – so good!)…

Believed to be up to 5000 years old, Castlerigg is formed of 38 stones. Some think it could have served as some kind of calendar as it has a solar alignment (it’s still used for Solstice Celebrations). Others think it could be a burial memorial, or was perhaps even used as a trading post (two stone axes were found in the centre, and they were thought to be made nearby). No-one’s really all that sure. All they know is that Castlerigg is one of the earliest stone circles in Europe, and one of the best preserved…

It’s a privilege to be able to get so close to the stones – as someone used to being prevented from getting close to the stones at all at Stonehenge, and to an extent at Avebury, it did make me flinch somewhat to see people climbing all over them. It also made the photographer in me absolutely livid at the group of hikers perched along a good few of the stones to eat their picnic, nothing like ruining someone else’s photo opportunity when it’s the entire reason people mostly go! There’s nothing for it, I am just going to have to go back first thing in the morning while we are still here if I get it together (maybe!)…

I hope my pictures give you the impression that we had the entire place to ourselves. The last pictures above probably reveal the real story, but it’s still utterly worth visiting. And, unlike Stonehenge which is perched on top of a hill, and Avebury that’s so spread out it’s hard to gain a real sense of it being a circle, Castlerigg is set in the most stunning landscape surrounded by mountains. It might be small but it’s perfectly formed, and well worth any arduous amble to get there…

Wow! We too love a stone circle or a standing stone and have had many such walks but never to Castlerigg. Also snorting with laughter (deeply sympathetic laughter) over the 150 point turn. #CulturedKids

Laughing at so much here – the ‘spa’ shop, the poop, the still life experience – but also loving the final photos of Castlerigg, even with the people in it. Reminds me of the stones we saw in Sweden. Ales Stenar, near Ystad. They were nicely positioned too.
#culturedkids

I’ve never heard of Castlerigg but am fascinated with stone circles and why they were placed in specific locations (I guess it comes from watching Outlander). Does look like a great place to take the family. #culturedkids

I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never been to the Lake District. When I do, I’ll definitely be ambling to Castlerigg. I love the mystery and age of them, and the setting. A lot of our walks start (and sometime end!) the way yours did. But it’s moments like these which make it all worthwhile. #CulturedKids

Wow – how scenic – and the sillouettes in your last images are dark enough to let me pretend the people are druids! What a beautiful place – and I need to try some of that peanut butter and jelly gelato….. #CulturedKids

Aww I love this post, although I’m sorry you had such a rocky start. I’ve definitely had trips like that where you just wonder whether its all worth it (it ultimately is, as your photos show). I found myself nodding along. The spa/Spar bit made me chuckle too. #culturedkids.

Loving the pics, I’d fully agree well worth the arduous amble to get there, on my list for spring weekends with my own cheeky monkeys that I’m sure will have similar dilemma and moans, sheep poops included but the circle looks truly magic so hopefully they’d also agree at some point it’s worth the pain to trek and hike! X #CulturedKids

I loved Castlerigg when we visited for the first time this year. Such a stunning location. Your description of the pre-walk stress made me smile. We’ve all been there. And often a Spar break is all we get for our thanks! #CulturedKids

Oh wow! How amazing is this! It’s so nice that you can actually get close to the stones, unlike Stonehenge (that really annoys me!) even though it does mean people will be in your photos! Definitely worth the adventure I’d say, I’d love to visit!

What a lovely place, a mini Stonehenge!
I must admit, it would make me cringe too to see people sprawled all over these rocks. Having these sorts of places roped off for preservation is important, I feel.

[…] Ambling to Ancient Stones | If you’re looking for a walk in the Lake District with an utterly captivating sight at the end, visit Castlerigg. Just take a look at these gorgeous photos and I’m sure you’ll be convinced. | A Bavarian Sojourn […]